A Swiss court has ordered the co-owner of a bar in the luxury ski resort of Crans-Montana to remain in custody following a deadly New Year’s Day fire that killed 40 people.
In a statement on Monday, the court said Jacques Moretti would be held for an initial three-month provisional period. The detention could be reviewed if measures are taken to reduce the risk of him fleeing, including the payment of a security deposit.
Prosecutors in the canton of Valais ordered Moretti’s detention after a lengthy hearing involving him and his wife, Jessica Moretti, who together own the bar where the blaze broke out. Lawyers for Jessica Moretti said the ruling allows for her husband’s release once the court’s conditions are met and noted that the couple has pledged to cooperate fully with investigators.
The fire swept through the venue in the early hours of January 1, making it one of the deadliest incidents in Switzerland in recent years. Authorities have not yet announced a cause, but investigators are examining whether safety rules, emergency exits and capacity limits were properly followed.
Crans-Montana, known for its luxury hotels and busy nightlife during the holiday season, has been shaken by the tragedy, which has triggered a national debate over fire safety in entertainment venues and the enforcement of regulations during peak tourism periods.
Swiss authorities say the investigation is continuing and that no formal charges have yet been filed.
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